Beverage plant by-product is a valuable resource, serving as an excellent substrate for anaerobic digestion in energy production, as well as a key component of animal feed. To fully unlock its energy and economic potential, proper treatment and effective recovery processes are essential, allowing for increased concentration of this by-product prior to fermentation.
This project is the result of a collaboration between Esmil Process Systems and our long-time partner, ZwitterCo, a supplier of innovative and efficient membranes.
Smart Solutions for Beverage Production By-Products from Esmil Process Systems
Engineers at Esmil Process Systems have developed an innovative treatment solution that transforms beverage plant by-product into valuable resource. The system combines mechanical pre-treatment with advanced superfiltration (SF) and reverse osmosis (RO) technologies, delivering high process efficiency while significantly reducing environmental impact and creating added value for the business.
How does it work?
The system consists of four modules (skids), which ensure optimal efficiency of the entire process, comprising four main stages:
- Mechanical pre-treatment. This preliminary stage is essential for removing large debris from the flow, making it suitable for further treatment. The use of a Rotary Drum Screen with fine mesh ensures efficient and reliable operation, protecting downstream equipment and enhancing the overall performance and longevity of the treatment process.
- Superfiltration (SF). In the next stage of the process, specific ultrafiltration membranes called Superfiltration membranes effectively remove fine suspended solids from the stream. The retained solid fraction becomes a valuable resource that serves as animal feed components or a concentrated feedstock for anaerobic digestion (AD) plants, where it can significantly boost biogas production and improve the overall energy recovery and economic viability of the plant.
- Reverse Osmosis (RO). In the next stage, the water obtained from the ultrafiltration process undergoes reverse osmosis. This step enables the concentration of dissolved organic compounds, resulting in purified water that can be recycled for internal reuse or safely discharged from the facility. The concentrate from the RO process is combined with the UF concentrate, allowing for obtaining more valuable feedstock in terms of their energy and nutrient value.
- Cleaning System. The plant operates in automatic mode, providing periodic cleaning sequences when needed. It ensures optimal efficiency and reliability of the treatment process by removing contaminants and maintaining the proper functioning of the entire system.
The membrane supplier for this project was one of our long-term partners, ZwitterCo. In addition to providing their unique Superfiltration membranes capable of handling challenging streams like beverage plant by-product, ZwitterCo is known for delivering exceptional quality, durability, and high recovery rates – crucial factors in ensuring the stability, efficiency, and long-term performance of the entire treatment system.
Summary
The membrane system developed by Esmil Process Systems is an innovative solution for beverage industry by-product treatment that combines high efficiency with environmental care. It enables the recovery of valuable resources, turning waste into a useful source of energy and animal feed components. The use of advanced superfiltration and reverse osmosis technologies ensures the reuse or safe discharge of treated water from the facility, significantly minimizing environmental impact and supporting sustainable development.